The administration of US President Donald Trump on Friday informed Parliament that it was trimming most of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) employees and plans to completely shut down the agency. This decision has come at a time when Trump assured to assist after a recent devastating earthquake in Myanmar.
Closing usaid affects global relief efforts
Usaid is considered a major institution for disaster relief and humanitarian aid worldwide. Experts believe that closing it will have a profound impact on relief and support services globally.
USAID employees trimmed among earthquakes
Thousands of USAID employees and Foreign Services officials were informed through an internal memorandum that non-essential jobs would be abolished between July and September. The memorandum was released by the agency’s acting Deputy Administrator Jeremy Levin, who is associated with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) run by billionaire Alan Musk.
Earthquake in Thailand and Myanmar, Usaid needs
The announcement of the closure of USAID was made on the same day when a powerful earthquake occurred in Thailand and Myanmar, affecting thousands of people. Traditionally USAID has been a leading agency for relief tasks during natural disasters, but now the decision to close it is questioning international support efforts.
Experts warning: This decision may weaken US leadership
Former disaster response to USAID, leading Sarah Charles, warned that the move would weaken the US global humanitarian assistance. They said,
“I suspect that Chinese, Türkiye, Russian and Indian relief teams will reach there very soon, while America will not be present.”
“Earthquake relief team will end”
Former USAID officer and Refugees International President Jeremy Konyadik said,
“This decision will also end the last team that led the reaction of USAID in disasters like earthquake.”
Trump administration ban on foreign aid
In January, Trump ordered a 90 -day ban on all American foreign aid. He claimed that the review of Allen Musk found irregularities in the USAID, although no evidence was given.
Protest in US Congress
The House Foreign Affairs Committee’s top Democrats, Gregory Meux, described the decision to shut down the USAID as “illegal” and said that it is an attempt to withdraw America from global leadership.
What will happen next?
As Myanmar and Thailand are trying to overcome the devastation of earthquake, it will be important to see how the US fulfills its assistance commitments. This decision to shut down the USAID can have a profound impact on the future of global humanitarian aid.
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